Concord church project pushed back

CONCORD -- A major church building project on San Miguel Road, in the works for years, was further delayed Wednesday night at a Planning Commission meeting.

The hearing was for an appeal filed by the leaders of the St. Mary and St. Mina's Coptic Orthodox Church, who object to a city planning decision to require more environmental review of the project.

Before Wednesday night's meeting, Craig Andersen, a lawyer for the church, requested the city continue the agenda item to allow the church more time to respond to a city report. Andersen said the church would need at least 60 days to respond and agreed to pay a $635 continuance fee.

The Planning Commission voted 4-1 in favor of the church's request. Commissioner Tim McGallian, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he was disappointed by the decision. He and the rest of the five-member commission apologized to dozens of residents who attended the meeting and left frustrated after it was cut short.

The church plans to build a 13,020-square-foot sanctuary to house 297 people, a 2,840-square-foot classroom building, a 6,280-square-foot multiuse building and a 1,140-square-foot chapel at 930 San Miguel Road, near the Contra Costa Canal and trails. The church dedicated the land in 2001.